Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Carlos Neyoy to Obama: "Please Don't Turn Your Back On Us"

A letter dated May 29, 2014 went out to President Obama from Carlos Neyoy, the thirteen-year-old son of Daniel Neyoy Ruiz, currently in sanctuary with his family at Southside Presbyterian Church in South Tucson since May 13—hoping, praying and working to stop his deportation with the support of the Southside community and other immigrant rights activists.

The letter:

May 29, 2014

Dear President Obama,

My name is Carlos Neyoy. I am an 8th grader at Challenger Middle School in Tucson. I ask you
to please close my dad's case so that he can stay in the United States. He has already started a life
here and has me and my mom here. He is a hard-working man who has done nothing wrong. He
was stopped because his car was blowing too much exhaust. He is a good father and has the right
to be with his family. I trust that you would understand, sir, because you have a family here as
well.

Me and my dad are close. He used to take me everywhere. Once when I was 8 years old my dad
took me to a small fair. He bought me food and we had fun all night. We stopped to play a game
where you shoot corks at ducks. One of my dad's shots hit the duck and bounced back and hit
me in the head. He was so worried until he realized I wasn't hurt and then we laughed so hard we
were crying. This is one of my favorite memories. Now I don't know if I should cry when I think
about it because I don't know if my dad will be here for more memories.

I was planning on going to Disneyland with my dad because he has never been there. I went
with my Aunt once when I was 8 years old and had a great time but I kept thinking how much
more fun it would be if my dad could come. We have been planning for all of us to go since I
was 6 but never could because of the risk that he would get deported on the way to California
if we went. We talked about going to all the rides and eating great food and having a wonderful
time. Now I fear I won't even be able to go to WalMart with my dad if he has to keep living in
the church or, worse, that I won't even see my dad for Christmas or my birthday if he gets sent to
Mexico. I want my father to be here when I go to college. I want to be an attorney so that I can
help people and I want my father to be by me when I get my degree, to see him being proud of
me.

Mr. President, I don't mean any disrespect with this but I’m just telling you to please don't turn
your back on us and not only help my family stay united but all families that are being separated
by immigration laws. I ask you, Mr. President, to let my dad stay in the United States.